First EEE Research Study Clinic Held Tuesday in Brandon

BRANDON – The first of three Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) research study clinics will be held on April 23, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Brandon Senior Center (1591 Forest Dale Road).

The Vermont Department of Health has called for residents living in Brandon, Sudbury and Whiting to volunteer to participate in a research study that will test blood samples for antibodies to EEE.

Anyone age 12 and older who has lived in one of these three towns since June 1, 2012 can participate. Volunteers will be screened for eligibility and there is no sign up required in advance.

Eligible participants will be asked to complete a brief survey, and trained nurses will collect the blood sample, which will only be tested for antibodies to EEE.

The Health Department wants to learn if many people have been infected with EEE virus but did not get sick. Individual test results will not be shared with participants. All information collected during the study will be confidential.

The Health Department is conducting the study in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). EEE is a potentially fatal viral disease spread to people and horses through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The other two clinics will be held at Sudbury Town Hall (May 14) and Whiting Town Hall (May 29) noon to 7 p.m.

Last fall two Vermonters died from EEE. Both lived in areas where mosquitoes had tested positive for EEE virus.

For more information on EEE visit the Health Department at healthvermont.gov. Follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook for health information, news and alerts.